Mentors of 2nd Young Filmmakers Workshop

Directing Mentor: John Torres (Philippines)

John Torres (born 1975) is a Filipono experimental filmmaker and musician. His films include a trilogy of shorts entitled Tawidgutom, Salat, and Kung Paano Kita Liligawan Nang 'Di Kumakapit Sa Iyo? collectively known as The Otros Trilogy.

Torres graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication at Ateneo de Manila University in 1997.

In January 2010, Torres's Ang Ninanais (Refrains Happen Like Revolutions in a Song) was presented in the 39th International Film Festival Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The film was among the three featured Filipino films supported by the festival's Hubert Bals Fund, which is aimed at aiding filmmakers from developing countries.

Producing Mentor: Tan Bee Thiam (Singapore)

Bee Thiam has worked as a director, producer, writer and editor with 13 Little Pictures an independent film collective whose films have garnered critical acclaim. Based in Singapore, his films and projects have been presented in Berlin, Rotterdam, New York, Tokyo and Buenos Aires. An alumnus of Berlinale Talents, Rotterdam Lab and European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs (EAVE)., he produced SNAKESKIN (Award in Excellence, Yamagata 2015), 03-FLATS (Best Film, Salaya 2015), PONTIANAK (Moneff Prize, Hong Kong 2015) and TUITION (Asian Cinema Fund, Busan 2015). He directed KOPI JULIA (commissioned by Amir Muhammad’s FIXI), one of 13 short films curated by Apichatpong Weerasethakul for the Sharjah Biennale 2013. His co-directorial debut FUNDAMENTALLY HAPPY, shot by Christopher Doyle and starring Adibah Noor, premiered at Tallinn 2015.

Cinematography Mentor: Sam Cochaputsup (Thailand)

Sam Cochaputsup works as a Director of Photography, Photographer and Graphic Designer in Thailand. Since graduating in Photography from RMIT University (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology), has worked with many leading brands and companies locally and internationally. Rapatchanun’s versatility with styles and media has produced work in a wide range of fields: advertising, fashion, as well as narrative and documentary films. His work has since been showcased at international film festivals (Hong Kong, Busan, Thailand, Los Angeles, Rome, Milan, Berlin) with a Best Cinematography award in 2014 and 2015 by the Berlin Fashion Film Festival. He is also the co-founder of Wise Lama, Film and Design Collective, Bangkok.

Assistant Directing Mentor: Kenneth Raj (Malaysia)

Born in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Kenneth began his film production journey with one of the biggest production houses back then, Barney Productions, as a Trainee Production Manager in 1996. Later on, in 1998, he joined Pegasus Film, staying with the company for 6 years with the position of Executive Producer. From then on, he became a freelance 1st Assistant Director, specializing in foreign support jobs. Having filmed in various countries such as Australia, Thailand, Singapore and South Africa, Kenneth has worked with prominent feature film directors like John Hillcoat (LAWLESS, TRIPLE 9) commercial film directors such as Ariane Besson, Charles Mehling, Abinhey Deo, and Cinematographers such as Robert Elswit (Oscar Winner - THERE WILL BE BLOOD, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, BOURNE LEGACY), Trent Opaloch (CAPTAIN AMERICA, DISTRICT 9, CHAPPIE), Ben Smithard (DAMN UNITED) and Simon Duggan (iROBOT). In 2011, he was the 1st AD for Dain Said’s BUNOHAN, a feature film that won numerous international and local awards. Currently directing TV Commercials and Corporate Videos, Kenneth still finds the time to be an Assistant Director on foreign production jobs and the occasional feature film.

Production Design Mentor: Rasiguet Sookkarn (Thailand)

Born in Bangkok, Thailand, Rasiguet Sookkarn started out as an Art Director after graduating in Architecture from Chulalongkorn University in 2005. After working on several commercial ads as an Art Director, he found his way through as a Production Designer and has since amassed multiple awards for feature films he has worked on over the past 10 years. Notable awards include winning Best Production Designer for P-047 (2013) and MARY IS HAPPY, MARY IS HAPPY (2014) at the Starpics Awards and most recently Best Production Designer for SNAP (2016) at the Thailand National Film Association Awards (Supannahong). In 2014, Rasiguet also had the honour of being selected to Berlinale Talents, the annual summit and networking platform of the Berlin International Film Festival for 250 outstanding creatives from the world of film and drama series. Rasiguet is also the co-founder of Off Scene Films.

Sound Mentor: Pete Teo (Malaysia)

Pete Teo is one of the most prominent artists in Malaysia. Born to a merchant family in Borneo, he attended Quaker high school in York before obtaining Bachelor and Master degrees in Social Theory & Law at the London School of Economics. Although he first gained popularity as a music artist, his subsequent work spanned many disciplines, most notably film. In 2011, CNN honoured him as one of ‘135 Asians To Watch’ for making significant contribution to the popular culture of new Asia. Initially signed to a major music label, Teo nevertheless did his most significant work in music as an unsigned artist. Other than producing and releasing a number of popular hits, his music compositions and sound design were featured in the movies of Malaysian filmmakers - AT THE END OF DAYBREAK by Ho Yuhang, YEAR WITHOUT SUMMER By Tan Chui Mui, CLAYPOT CURRY KILLER by James Lee and TALENT TIME by Yasmin Ahmad. He has to date won five AIM Awards and one AJL Award in Malaysia.

Editing Mentor: Isazaly Isa (Malaysia)

After completing his foundation studies in Product and Graphic Design at the La Salle College of Arts, Singapore, Isazaly Mohd Isa came to Malaysia to pursue filmmaking at Akademi Filem Malaysia (AFM) in 1994. His graduation film project, entitled “BETWEEN JASMINE AND HIS DEEP BLUE SEA” was awarded ‘Best Film Project’ by the KODAK Worldwide Student Programme. In May 2005, his ‘micromovie’ was among the 12 finalists to participate in St Kilda’s Film Festival in Melbourne, sponsored by Siemens Mobile Germany. In 2010, he won the jury award for his 90 seconds shortfilm "CORRIDOR" and it was screened at Encounters Short Film Festival in Bristol, UK. Isazaly co-founded and currently spearheads Kino-i Pictures Sdn Bhd , a digital production and post-house in KL. He has edited and produced long form projects including ROAD TO MECCA, SUSUK, JALAN PINTAS, 10 TAHUN SEBELUM MERDEKA, TRAIN STATION, REDHA and ALIF DALAM 7 DIMENSI.